DVD

The finds at L'Anse aux Meadows at
most Northern Newfoundland mark the only authenticated Norse occupation
site in North America. Now considered by archaeologists to be Leif
Eriksson's outpost in Vinland - Leifsbudir.

In 1997, Professional Blacksmith
and Interpretive Program Designer Darrell
Markewitz was contracted by Parks Canada to create
the 'Viking Encampment' for L'Anse aux Meadows NHSC. The Viking
Encampment presentation included some 150 replica objects. A staff of
six, was trained to portray the people and elements of the life as it
would have been undertaken by the Norse in Vinland circa 1000 AD.
Creation of these pieces required extensive research, application of
historic techniques, and close attention to details.

This two and a half hour
program was taped during the creation of these same replicas
and reproductions. Forging the Viking Age centres
on the forge work. Follow the production of a number of specific
objects, with commentary on both the original source artifacts and
detailed background on the replicas. Much of the footage takes place in
the forge, as raw bars are hammered into the finished objects.

FORGING the Viking
Age will be of special interest to the blacksmith, the Norse
re-enactor - or anyone with a deep interest in history.

Program
Content

Introduction to the
Encampment

A background look at the material culture of the Viking
Age, as it
relates to the Encampment series of living history programs. This is a
walk through of a Viking Age camp, examining a number of the objects
seen latter in production.

Cauldron Hangers

An overview of the elaborate cauldron hangers found in
Norse and Saxon burials. A close up description of the approximately
three meter long hanger made for the 1996 presentation. Follow the
creation of the new hanger as it is made - from producing the bars to
final assembly of the many elaborate forged elements.

Carving Knife

A record of the metalwork involved in reproducing a
small folding carving knife, based on the sample found at Coppergate in
York England. Starting with a bar of tools steel, see the forging,
finishing and heat treating of the blade, along with a description of
how the final mechanism works.

Box Hinge

Shows the production of two variants on the well known 'loop and tab'
style hinge found on Norse sea chests. First is an exact reproduction
of the hinges found on the Mastermyr Sea Chest. Second is a simpler
version requiring less forging skill and time.

Axes

A number of types and sizes of axes were created for
the Encampment. The sequence starts with the raw materials and a
consideration of Viking Age construction methods. This is followed with
the production of three differing axes. Two are small belt axes, using
the looped and welded method including an inset carbon steel edge
(demonstration forge welding). Also shown is work on the fine tool axe
from Mastermyr (with punched eye).

Spiral Iron

Here is the forging of one of the spiral shaped cook
irons. Work starts with the preparation of the bar stock, through
forging the spiral. The sequence ends with a look at the finished
object.

BONUS -
Forging an Anvil

The original plan was to hand forge a replica Norse
anvil, based on the T shaped sample from 1000 AD Russia. See why this
project was abandoned part way through!

BONUS -
QuickTime Shorts

TWO new bonus features have been added (find the 'Bonus' file using your computer.) One is 'Forging a Norse Broad Axe' the other 'Forging an Iron Cookpot'

A NOTE ON QUALITY: The first three programs in this series (Introduction / Bladesmithing / Forge Viking ) were all shot using older analog VHS video equipment. It was also
decided to use the actual 'in the workshop' ambient sound. An experienced blacksmith knows the sound of the hammer on metal is an important clue as to the progress of the work, and I wanted
to illustrate this. These are NOT slick commercial tapes with voice overs and music sound tracks! For both those reasons, the image and sound quality of these programs may not prove to be equivelent
to that provided by state of the art digital equipment. The amount of information provided on each remains exceptional.

COMPUTER USERS PLEASE NOTE :Starting on February 1, 2011, a new upgraded edit of these programs
was made. This included the use of 'chapter' menus and formating for
use on computer hardware DVD drives.
Those using the disks inside computer DVD drives are still cautioned that these
still may operate at the whim of the many different software programs available.
No specific support is provided for computer use, customers are advised to consult
the manuals that came with their individual software if there are difficulties
playing the disks. Usually some alternative method chosen from your 'FILE"
menu will resolve the issue. No refund will be available if the disk
does not work in your specific computer.

Darrell Markewitz is an Interpretive Program Designer,
a specialist in the Viking Age. He created the 'Norse Encampment' series of
programs, starting in 1992. The culmination of this work was the 'Viking Encampment'
living history presentation for Parks Canada at L'Anse aux Meadows NHSC. In
2003 he designed and produced the exhibit 'World of the Norse' for the Cranbrook
Institute of Science. He was part of the original concept team for the Smithsonian's
'Vikings - North Atlantic Saga'. He also worked on the educational programming
related to the Newfoundland Museum's 'Full Circle - First Contact'. In 2000
he created and delivered the college level program 'Interpreting the Viking
Age'.

As a working blacksmith, his
experience goes back over a quarter century. Since 1992 he has operated
the Wareham Forge in Grey County, Ontario. Work is
split between consulting with museums, teaching and creating original
art metalworks.

He has worked as an artisan /
interpreter at a number of historic sites throughout North America and
over a range of time periods. He was fundamental in the creation of the
Dark Ages Re-creation Company, and remains a driving force behind the
group's museum presentations and experimental archaeology projects.

The Wareham Forge can accept Mastercard
, American Express, and VISA
credit cards.

It is suggested you send a confirmation e-mail confirming your
name, ship to address and return e-mail address.

These prices include 'surface' shipping via Canada Post to your
address. Expect 1 -2 weeks inside Canada / 2-3 weeks across US Customs. Canadian
addresses have required HST of $3.64 added. For American customers -
there should be no duty on this 100% Canadian made product under NAFTA.

For express (air mail) or
international shipments, please refer to the information on 'Orders' on the main Wareham
Forge web site.